MINUTES OF THE USSVI NORTHERN VIRGINIA BASE MEETING HELD ON SATURDAY, March 10, 2018 The Base CDR, Chuck Martin, called the meeting to order at 1107 on March 10, 2018at American Legion Post 162, Lorton, VA and welcomed all members and guests. MEMBERS AND GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE Steve Bishop, Debbie Bishop, Cathy Chatham, Howard Chatham, Bob Glover, Brian Haller, Steve Jaeger, Chuck Martin, CAPT Brad Neff (guest speaker), Paul Nelson, Tim Oliver, Mike Varone, and Woody Woodworth. (13 total) Holland Club Member Associate Member Guest The COB, Mike Varone, led all hands in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chaplain, Steve Jaeger, delivered the Invocation. The Base Chaplain, Steve Jaeger, read the list of boats lost in the month of March. These were: USS Perch (SS-176) March 3, 1942 USS Grampus (SS-207) March 5, 1943 USS H-1 (SS-28) March 12, 1920 USS Triton (SS-201) March 15, 1943 USS Kete (SS-369) March 20, 1945 USS F-4 (SS-23) March 25, 1915 USS Tullibee (SS-284) March 26, 1944 USS Trigger (SS-237) March 26, 1945 The COB then tolled the ship’s bell twice in remembrance of the 24 USSVI NOVA base members on Eternal Patrol. IN MEMORIAM: CDR David T. Otto, USN, Ret. – 1/30/18; Command Master Chief Frederick Madison Holmes, Jr., USN, – 2/6/18; and CAPT Joseph Sahaj, USN, Ret. – 02/13/18. PRESENTATION TO AMERICAN LEGION POST 162 Alan Amos of our host organization, Post 162, was called forward and presented a gift from the Base for their continued support. The check was to thank them for allowing us to use their meeting room space on a monthly basis. BASE HISTORIAN Base Historian, Woody Woodworth, presented a multi- sourced synopsis of the saga of the USS Perch (SS- 176). Commissioned in 1936, Perch spent most of her early years before the War in the Pacific near the Philippines. At the outbreak of hostilities, she was in overhaul in the Cavite Navy Yard. LCDR David Hurt rushed the crew and yard workers to get underway and 1 clear the yard on Dec 10. That night at sea, he watched as the enemy destroyed Cavite with bombers. He then patrolled off Hong Kong and missed one enemy merchant ship and then destroyed a second merchant ship. Having expended his emergency load of torpedoes, he sailed south to Darwin, Australia to repair damage. On Perch’s second War Patrol, she patrolled near Celebes and Java. While attacking a large merchant ship, she was hit in the superstructure and her bridge was blown away and all radio communications were lost. The crew attempted repairs on the surface and headed for Java. There she was attacked by two Japanese destroyers and then two Japanese cruisers and three destroyers. With the loss of all four engines, oil, and air systems, the skipper ordered the crew to “abandon ship, scuttle the boat.” Perch made her last dive with all hull openings open. The entire crew was captured and of the fifty-four men and five officers, all but five, who died of malnutrition in POW camps, were able to return to the US after VJ Day. MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the February meeting were distributed by e-mail. There was no discussion or any comments. The minutes were accepted as distributed. TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer, Steve Jaeger, provided the monthly report for March 10, 2018: Beginning Cash on Hand $ 8,010.40 Receipts: $ 70.36 Dues-Annual, Base Dues-Annual, National Interest/Dividends Expenditures: $ 217.76 Donations Made (Not to National) Expenses-Event (2018 HC) Ending Sub-Total $ 7,863.97 Minus Remaining Walmart Grant restricted use funds for K4K ($1,302.60) Grand Total (Discretionary) $ 6,561.37 2 MEMBERSHIP Steve Jaeger provided the following Membership Information: – 80 Members • 38 Holland Club Members – 04 WW II Members • 33 Regular Members • 09 Associate Members COMMITTEE REPORTS Executive Board: The Base Commander presented a summary of the Executive Board Meeting held on 28 February. Discussions included: membership; plans for this year’s Holland Club initiation and other upcoming events; Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) program status; NJROTC program; website updates; and the Eagle Scout recognition program. Chief of the Boat: Mike Varone reported that last year’s July 4th Parade in Dale City is on video at: YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeiN6mezbII. To see USSVI Northern Virginia Base start viewing at 1hour:17min: 10secs. Mike is coordinating with this year’s parade chairwoman to get our application filed early so we get placed nearer to the front of the parade assembly his year. Public Relations: See COB above Storekeeper: Howard Chatham reported that there are still more Base Challenge coins, patches, base patches, and Holland Club coins available for sale. The 2018 USSVI calendars are now reduced by $1.00 each. Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS): 1. Steve Bishop reported that the team visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD on February 22nd. We visited children, siblings, and family bedside with two members of the Tri-State Base, Base CDR Daniel Glogg, and Base VCDR and USSVI National Artist Tom Denton. Tom Denton signed and presented his original art work in our coloring book for the older children. Tom loved it and so did the Kid(SS)!! 2. The date for our next visit to INOVA Fairfax Hospital's pediatric oncology ward in Falls Church, VA is Thursday, March 29, 2018. Plan to meet at the Green Women and Children wing visitors’ lounge on the ground level, across from the Green parking lot at 2:15 PM. Wear your USSVI sub vest and cap, and bring your parking lot ticket, as the nurses will validate your parking. 3. Steve is working with the UVA Medical Center staff in Charlottesville, VA to set up a similar visit to their pediatric oncology ward on April 24th or 25th. 4. We have helped two other bases get started with K4K: Hampton Roads base now visits two hospitals near Norfolk and the USS Virginia Base comes with us to all visits at UVA. Now the Tri State Base would like our assistance in setting up their own K4K program. Cathy Chatham and Steve will be assisting them and they will be joining us on our Walter Reed visits going forward. 5. On-line applications to the Walmart Community Fund Grant program have been submitted for 2018. 3 6. The Base CDR, Chuck Martin asked all of the K4K team members present to stand. Paul Nelson, Cathy and Howard Chatham, Debbie and Steve Bishop, and Mike Varone then stood. Chuck then read from John Riley, USSVI National K4K Chairman, and Ron Olson, North East District 4 Commander, e-mails who both sent their Bravo Zulus to this K4K Team for establishing and promoting an outstanding K4K program at NOVA Base. Scouting Coordinator: Chuck Martin reported that: Recent Eagle Scout Court of Honors: o Eagle Scout Will Davis, Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held on March 3, 2018. Upcoming Eagle Scout Court of Honors: None Youth Outreach Programs (NJROTC/Sea Cadets/School Program) Coordinator: USSVI Northern Virginia Base taught Potomac Senior High School NJROTC cadets Introduction to Navigation class during the week of February 26. Steve Bishop taught the 130 sophomores, juniors and seniors who had never been exposed to the basic navigation Naval Science curriculum. The three Naval Science Instructors on staff were most appreciative for the assistance. Chaplain: Darlene Jaeger’s mom passed away on March 3, 2018. The family is waiting for an Arlington National Cemetery inurnment date. Navy Submarine League(NSL) : Tim Oliver announced that: The NSL recently held its annual corporate members event downtown. It was learned there that there is talk of refueling the newer 688’s to fill the trough in the number of SSN’s in the out years. The NSL will be moving its headquarters to a building near the King St. Metro and there is a good chance that meetings such as USSVI’s could be held there. NSL is sponsoring Tom Denton (and Tim is traveling to Groton with him) to present his original art work to the USS Colorado crew at its commissioning ceremony. Upcoming NSL Events o 2018 Sea Air Space Expo is April 9-11 at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor, MD. Any volunteers to help man the NSL table? This has always been a great opportunity for both NSL and USSVI Northern Virginia Base. o 2018 Submarine Technology Symposium will be held May 15-17, 2018. o Capital Chapter & OPNAV N97 are hosting a DC Submarine BEQ, an after work social, Friday 16 March at Sine's Irish Pub in Arlington, VA (Pentagon City/ Pentagon Row ), from 1500-1800. RSVP to either LT Jimmy Aylward (OPNAV N97 Flag LT) at [email protected] or Brad Kratovil at [email protected]. o Capitol Chapter luncheon is Friday, 20 April 2018 at the ANCC, 1130-1330. Our speaker is CAPT Brian Davies, Director Submarine/Nuclear Officer Distribution (PERS 42) and Nuclear Propulsion Program Manager (N133). Please send RSVP by Friday, 16 March to Brad Kratovil at [email protected]. 4 OLD BUSINESS USS Scorpion (SSN 589) 50th Anniversary Memorial May 25 - 27, 2018 in Norfolk, Va. CNO, Admiral John M. Richardson, as keynote speaker for the memorial service. The Base has made a donation of $99 and is sponsoring RMCS Robert Johnson. There were 99 men lost on the Scorpion. USSVI Scholarship Fundraiser – Frank Hood, Vice CDR of USSVI Marblehead Base, has published a book titled "Poopie Suits and Cowboy Boots" that is about the day-to-day life aboard a US Navy submarine.